CeChemNet and the Regional Cluster

Strategy of Saxony-Anhalt

Thomas WobbenRepresentation of Saxony-Anhalt to the European Union

Boulevard Saint Michel 80B-1040 Brussels

Tel.: 00.32.2.741 09 31 Fax: 00.32.2.741 09 39E-mail: thomas.wobben@lv-bruessel.stk.sachsen-anhalt.de

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The Challenge of the Halle/Leipzig area

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Starting Point:

• Halle/Leipzig/Dessau is the economic heartland of Eastern Germany

• Chemical Industry plays a key role in regional development

• The region is located within three German Länder, different sub-regional districts and bigger cities

• Since German unification – particularly between 1994 and 2000 – the chemical industry received large public support for investment aid and business related infrastructure

• Early on it became evident that a stronger co-ordination between the socio-economic actors, the local and regional authorities and the research and innovation providers is necessary to improve the innovation climate

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From Technology Plans to Regional Innovation:

1994-1996 Regional Technology Plan Halle/Leipzig/Dessau

» Attempts failed to develop an overall co-ordination of innovation policies in the region

» Lack of participation of key actors such as industry and regional governments

» However initial ideas for closer co-operation were profiled in the region

1997 – 1992 Regional Innovation Strategy Halle/Leipzig/Dessau

» Successful attempt to engage local and regional actors» Strategic projects were initiated with regard to chemical industry, waste

management, bio-technology and material science» Strong involvement of regional government and inclusion into the

Mainstream Operational ERDF Programme

2002 – 2004 RIS Plus Projects Halle/Leipzig Dessau

» Developing key cluster strategies in the field of automotive, chemical industry and waste management

» Setting up of CeChemNet as a business led cluster strategy as part of the RIS Plus project

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The Cluster Strategy: CeChemNet

• Cross sectoral cluster strategy along the value chain

• Cross regional approach including chemical sites in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg

• Business led initiative with involvement of German Chemical Association

• Combination of the Cluster approach with a Strategy Dialogue on Chemical Industry with the regional government of Saxony-Anhalt

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CeChemNet Partner

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CeChemNet Working Groups:

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Results of the internal Cluster Process:

• Setting of CeChemNet as a Cluster Co-ordination

• Coordinated approach in setting up and extending innovation centers at chemical sites, i.e.:

– Fraunhofer Institute for Polymere Synthesis (Schkopau)– Fraunhofer Center for Biomass (Leuna)– Fraunhofer Centre for Silizium-Photovoltaik (CSP) (Schkopau)– Extending the research facilities regarding polymere chemicals at the

Martin-Luther-University in Halle – Setting up of the plastics competence centre Halle-Merseburg

• Joint presentation and promotion of chemical sites

• Joint positions towards the regional governments

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The external cluster strategy:

• Strong focus on Central and Eastern European Chemical sites (new markets)

• Using interregional contacts to promote the chemical parks in Eastern Germany

• Strong involvement in developing the legal framework conditions for chemical industry in Europe (lobbying)

• Opening up for the exchange of experiences and interregional co-operation

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The European Chemical Regions Network:

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Results of the external cluster strategy:• Setting up of the European Chemical Regions Network (

www.ecrn.net) • Participation in the High Level Group on the

Competitiveness of the Chemical Industry in Europe of DG Industry

• Initiating several interregional projects, such as

– MentorChem (Regions of Knowledge)– ChemClust (Open Innovation in Chemical Parks)– ChemLog (Chemical Logistics in Central and Eastern Europe)

• Initiating strategic interregional partnerships (Limburg and Mazovia)

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The funding instruments:

EU-Programmes:

• Innovative Actions: RIS, RIS+

• Mainstream ERDFfunding: Support for Innovation infrastructure

Cluster support strategy

• INTERREG IV C: ECRN NetworkChemClust (Open

Innovation)

• 7. FRP: Regions of Knowledge

• INTERREG IV B: ChemLog (Chemical Logistics)

National and regional funding instruments

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Success factors and lessons learned:

Success factors:• Cluster leadership• Business focus• Commitment of actors• Right timing

Lessons learned:• Internal and external cluster strategy belong together• Regional Policy is more then the promotion of innovation• Capacity building (partnership, integrated approaches do

take time)

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Contact Details:

• CeChemNet - Central European Chemical Network Contact: Fiene Grieger, Projektmanagerin Hoher Weg 3 06120 Halle an der Saale Telefon:  +49.345 / 299 827 18  Telefax: +49.345 / 299 827 11 E-mail: fiene.grieger@cechemnet.de Internet: www.cechemnet.de

• Ministry for Business and Technology of Saxony-AnhaltContact: Catrin GutowskyHasselbachstrasse 439104 MagdeburgTel.: + 49.391 / 567 4452E-mail: catrin.gutowsky@mw.sachsen-anhalt.de

Many thanks for your attention!